AMHERST – One of the advantages of fielding a roster as young as the University of Massachusetts football team's is that the coaching staff is able to get extended looks at under-the-radar players who might otherwise go untested in a more veteran group.

A perfect example of that is freshman wide receiver Shakur Nesmith, a Temple signee turned UMass walk-on who has impressed in limited reps in place of would-be starter Tajae Sharpe.

With Sharpe sidelined since Sunday with a minor shoulder injury, Nesmith has made the most of his opportunity to work with quarterback Mike Wegzyn and the first team. At 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, he's displayed the requisite size and speed to make plays at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.

Nesmith, unable to comment Monday because of unresolved details regarding his eligibility and walk-on status, has caught the eyes of his coaches.

“He’s really taken advantage of the last two practices with Tajae being out," Minutemen coach Charley Molnar said. "I think he's really done well every day at practice. (We) didn’t really know what to expect, but so far, so good.”

Nesmith was targeted frequently during red-zone work Monday, putting his large frame to good use in the back of the end zone. He displayed soft hands, excellent spatial awareness and control of his body as he reeled in passes along the sideline.

Wide receivers coach Allen Suber called Nesmith a "big, fast receiver" and highlighted him as a target who can potentially help create mismatches against smaller cornerbacks.

"It’s not just his size; he’s got very good speed," Molnar said. "And (he) also has a really good feel for running routes and finding the open spaces."

Neither Molnar nor Suber appears concerned about Nesmith's eligibility for the season. That bodes well for Wegzyn, who was excited to add another talented piece to a growing stable of pass-catchers.

“I really like Shakur. He’s just an athlete. He’s outstanding," Wegzyn said. "He’s obviously got the size, he’s got the speed, the athleticism, the hands to make the plays. Right now, he’s learning a lot of the routes and concepts and schemes and everything. But I’m really excited about the upside that he has.”

It's unclear what Nesmith's role will be once Sharpe returns, but the freshman is certainly forcing the issue. And realistically, UMass can't afford to leave any stones unturned. The offense struggled mightily to move the ball and score points in 2012, and that was with now-departed Deion Walker and Allan Williams contributing 1,105 yards and seven touchdowns on 101 receptions.

A rotation featuring Nesmith, Sharpe, fifth-year senior Ricardo Miller and a number of other freshman wideouts like E.J. Burston and Shaquille Harris might make the most sense.

FIRMLY ENTRENCHED: Late last year, Molnar indicated that then-freshman quarterbacks Wegzyn and A.J. Doyle were 1-A and 1-B in the competition to be starter. That's no longer the case, as Molnar said Monday the progression is clearly delineated with Wegzyn as No. 1, Doyle No. 2 and freshman Todd Stafford No. 3.

Wegzyn said he feels more comfortable than ever with his receivers, comparing it to tossing an old football around the backyard with friends.